Dubber

No - no specific MTB group. So in theory you could do all your seeding rides on a road bike and then ride the Argus on a MTB (or the other way round). The more relvant question now is did they do it on a 29er or 26er. Those breaking the 3 hr mark on a 26er - serious respect!

thanks for sharing Slowbee - nice memories.

check out his website - you'll get an idea how he does the watermark...

8:46 start time! Not even a celeb then.... This made my Friday...

My understanding of the law in SA is as follows (disclaimer: I'm not a law expert or professional photographer, so please investigate further). If someone's image is to be used for commercial gain (i.e. to be sold) then a model release form is required from said person. This is not the case if the photograph is to be used just for editorial purposes (i.e. newspaper report etc). TinyK - I assume that you didn't sign a model relase? So, if the image was sold to someone, in theory you could ask that pic be removed. Or alternatively, you could tell the photographer that in return for a signed model release form you would like a copy of the image for personal use. Win-win for both of you... There is additional info on this website.

I don't recall any of the LBS stores at the expo actually showing off any bikes? They were mainly flogging the usual spares and consumables. So, if the distributors are relying on the retailers, they are loosing out. In my mind the big name brands are loosing out. I mean, 35 000+ cyclists in one place and Giant, Spez, Scott etc can't be bothered to show off their wares? Or is it a case of the Expo charging too much for stalls? Or lack of floor space? I just can't figure out why the big guys wouldn't want to take advantage of this oppertunity? In my mind the simple solution is: have a bigger venue, partition it into two. One side for demo only (no retail). The other side is your 'flea market'. Job done... (in an idilic world )

He got this one:

try Photomatix. The easiest HDR software out there. I think you can use it as a 'trial' for 30 days. And you could probably find some 'free' versions on the net somewhere... http://www.hdrsoft.com/ They've also got a few tutorials on their webpage. So even if you don't use the software it will give you a bit of background on how/ what needs to be done...

Hey Cassie This was my first Argus - so can't comment first hand on the past races, but I have heard all the 'horror' stories from my mates. But to be honest, I can't fault this years' race. There was no waiting or queuing on my ride. I rode mid pack on the 52km route, so definately not out front by myself. Maybe it got a little busier later on, but guys that finished behind me said they didn't have any problems either. One complaint I would have is that the 32km race snakes caught us fairly early on - so there was a bit of congestion as they tried to race past us. But that was only for 2 or 3 km's - so not too much of an issue. I guess the weather also helped - no dust and not too hot As far as the ride goes, I'd do it again. However, based on the entry fee and the abismal lucky draw prizes / goodie bag (or lack there of), I might think twice... G

Taken during day one of the 2012 Grape Escape. (Anyone know what the end result was - I didn't get to the finish?)

Can you guess the event? Taken this morning at the start...

For those that haven't caught the irony: there is no goodie bag. Nothing, nada, zip. Not even a bic pen. If the money saved is going to a decent cause then I'm happy. If it's going into some fat cats pocket then I'm disappointed. I guess at the end of the day, we choose which race/event we want to ride. I'm sure we all expected nothing (but hoped for something) - so the ball is in our court so to speak. We make the final decision to cough up or not.

Me too - c u there

From what I understand the 65km is the same route as the 52 km up unti the 48km mark. The 65km then splits off and does 14 additional km before meeting back up with the 52KM rout fro the last couple of KM's. So, yes, for 63km's there will be very little congestion I would think. But those last 2km when you join back up with the 52 KM route is going to be busy busy busy...

Yeah - that's what I thought too, but apparently not. They are strapped into the seat much like a baby car seat, so there's not much room for movement (apart from head and arms). According to my mate, appart from riding with his knees out and the added weight there's not too much to it. But then again, he is a sensible chap and like you say, he stays fairly close to home and/or rides on specific bike paths. It's not like he's bombing down the local single tack

The 'seat on the top tube' thing is similar to the products from WeeRide. http://www.weeride.co.za/ The seats come with 'saftey belts' so, as long as your bike doesn't go down they should be fairly safe. The question is my mind has always been 'what happens if you go down with the bike'. A mate of mine has one - and both he and the kiddie love it.

Depends what photo software you have on your pc? Most will have one of these two options - both work equally well: Find the option similar to 'Save for Web' or find the option to resize and just drop the DPI (or resolution) to 72kb G

Being someone who knows his way around a camera I'll put it into your language: the issue at hand is like comparing APS-C (26er) with full frame (29er).* The APS guys will try convince you as to the virutes of having a smaller sensor (cheaper, smaller, lighter - sound familiar?) But at the end of the day, size counts and once you've tried full frame you'll never go back. Pretty much all the pro's use full frame - although they might keep a APS-C hanging around 'just in case'. (Also pretty much the case with the big boys in cycling). *This is a paradoy and shouldn't be taken too seriously

I got to the top of OKW around 11am - no water. But I hear from guys behind me that when they got there at around 11:30ish there was water. So, credit to PPA for making a plan. Not that they should have run out in the first place, but at least they didn't just say' Oh well, water's finished, let' go home'.

First timer - 9:20 start. And the only reason it isn't a 10am start is that i'm a PPA member. (on that note I heard that PPA members were seeded more towards the middle of the pack in previous years? Not sure how true that is, but given PPA use 'a better Argus seeding' as one of their main selling points I think more than a few might be a bit upset with only 20 minutes between PPA and Open entries) Me - I'm not bothered - just looking forward to the ride

I know both CWC and Cycle Lab (Tygervalley) stock Merida. CWC have a bigger selection on the floor... g

Possibly - but I guess that's a personal choice. Maybe a bit background blur would add to the photo - but I like them as is - top shots!

Nice shots! Do you have the lens / aperture / SS details of these shots? G

Nice camera! You going to love it I'm sure. I think it has been said already on here but just to reiterate. Just about any of the current SLR's - be it Sony, Nikon, Canon etc - take great pics. The difference comes from A: the person clicking the button and B: the glass on the front of the camera. StevieL's work is a great example of this. He's not using a top end camera but clearly he knows what he is doing and he has some fantasict glass on the front of his camera (in fact, the lens in question probably cost double that of the camera). But the most important thing of all it to have fun taking the pics... G Edit - just noticed the lens is version II - so make that 3 to 4 time the price of the camera body

Loving your work StevieL